By Charlene N. Rivera-Bonet | Waisman Science Writer
MADISON –The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among 8-year-old children in the U.S. has increased to 1 in 31 in 2022, up from 1 in 36 in 2020, according to a recently published report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network. Autism identification varied widely across different regions and demographics, with Wisconsin having a notably higher prevalence at 1 in 26. The study emphasizes the need for comprehensive strategies to improve autism awareness, diagnosis, and access to services, with early identification linked to better long-term outcomes.
Autism is a heterogeneous developmental disability characterized by difficulties in social interaction or communication, and the presence of restricted interests or repetitive behavior. The prevalence of autism varied widely across the 16 ADDM Network sites, according to the report, likely reflecting differences in availability of services for early detection and evaluation and diagnostic practices between states. In Wisconsin, the prevalence was higher than the national average (3.2%), with 1 in 26 or 3.8% of 8-year-old children identified with autism.
Waisman Center investigator and epidemiologist Maureen Durkin, PhD, DrPH leads the Wisconsin Surveillance of Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities System (WISADDS).
The data from the ADDM Network report show that autism is present in all groups of children, but certain children were more likely to be identified with autism. Among 8-year-old children, boys were more than three times as likely as girls to be identified with autism. Asian or Pacific Islander, American Indian/Alaska Native, Black, Hispanic and Multiracial children were more likely to have autism compared to White children. This pattern was first observed in 2020.
No association was observed between autism prevalence and neighborhood median household income at 11 sites while higher autism prevalence was associated with lower neighborhood median household income at five sites, including Wisconsin.
Among the 8-year-old children identified with autism, more than one-third (39.6%) also had intellectual disability, or an IQ lower than 70.
The ADDM Network also reported increases in early identification of autism over time. Children with autism born in 2018 (age 4 at the time of the analysis) had more evaluations and identification during ages 0-4 years than children with autism who were born in 2014 during the 0-4-year age window. Those born in 2018 were 1.7 times as likely as children born in 2014 to be identified as having autism by 48 months of age. Durkin emphasizes that “As more and more children are being given a diagnosis of autism, it is important that we do everything possible to ensure that individuals with autism receive services and supports that are timely and have benefits over their life courses.”
These findings can be used by local communities and nationwide to inform and advance initiatives, systems, and research that promote positive outcomes for all children with autism and their families. They provide a guide to plan and develop strategies to promote awareness and improve identification of autism and referral to services.
The CDC’s Learn the Signs, Act Early program offers a free Milestone Tracker app that makes it easy for parents to track, support, and discuss their child’s development with their healthcare provider and other care and education providers.
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Region highlighted green – Site Tracking Area The prevalence of autism among children aged 8 years in 2022 is 1 in 31 overall across 16 ADDM Network sites, up from 1 in 36 in 2020.
- Prevalence of autism varied greatly across the 16 sites, likely reflecting differences in community identification practices and service eligibility.
- Autism is present among all groups of children, but boys were more than 3 times as likely as girls to be identified with autism, and Asian or Pacific Islanders, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Black, Hispanic, and Multiracial children were more likely to have autism compared to White children.
- More than one-third (39.6%) of 8-year-old children identified with autism also had intellectual disability (IQ<70).
- Early identification of autism has increased over time, with those born in 2018 being 1.7 times as likely as children born in 2014 to be identified as having autism by 48 months of age.